Elementary Faith Formation Classes
The traditional student catechesis program meets weekly during the school year. Each class is taught by specially trained staff and volunteer catechists. The faith formation classes aim to support parents as the primary catechists of their children by teaching age-appropriate lessons and activities.
Registration is now closed. If you’d like to register your child, please contact: Katrina Curtis, Faith Formation Director | ffdirector@slstm.org
2024-25 Faith Formation Classes
September 11, 2024 – April 2, 2025
Wednesdays | 5 pm – 6:30 pm
Hello Parents!
We are off to a great start! Please click the links below for helpful information.
2024-25 Class Catechists
Meet the Catechists! Click a grade below to learn more about your teacher and all the fun happening in class!
Kindergarten
Lead: Denise Gillis | dgillis@slstm.org Asst: Kathy Struve
Get to know your catechists!
Denise
“I was a kindergarten teacher for 8 years. I have four kids, ages 2, 4, 6, and 8. Three boys and one girl. I love working with children and am excited to be teaching faith formation again this year.”
Our kindergarten friends are learning in the Word of Life program. Parents are invited to follow along with classroom sessions and enhance your child’s learning with extra activities. Click below for the kindergarten parent portal!
1st Grade
Melinda Machalan mmaclachlan@slstm.org
Assts: Riley MacLachlan & Mary Brown
Get to know your catechists!
Mindy
https://id.augustineinstitute.org/auth/realms/formed/protocol/openid-connect/auth?client_id=thought-industries&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.wordoflifeseries.org%2F%2Fauth%3FreturnTo%3D%252Fregistration%252Fschools%252F28a730e6-6ddb-4eb6-bae9-ed90b750ae31%252Fclasses%252Ff47e6b58-21df-4f95-bea4-c9f672734691%252Fparents%252Fjoin%253Fexpires%253D20251008T182036Z%2526key%253DGwTor7-p0DSjtwh3&response_type=code&scope=openid+profile&state=361032375ef34e91955ef8557da81bca&code_challenge=WcB1HrNzSqjjLnv7A9RAqhYIbUaEXNzpBbFGky_4Ufs&code_challenge_method=S256&response_mode=query
2nd Grade
2nd Grade + First Communion
Torri Regiani tregiani@slstm.org
Asst. Jennifer Helander & Mary Dilly
Get to know your catechists!
Torri
I have my Masters in Teaching, and taught 2nd grade for 7 years before becoming a mom. I joined St. Mary’s when we moved here from the Chicagoland area 7 years ago, and started volunteering less than a year later. I am now starting my 6th year as a 2nd grade catechist here at St. Mary’s. I love building our church community through our children and their relationship with God.
https://id.augustineinstitute.org/auth/realms/formed/protocol/openid-connect/auth?client_id=thought-industries&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.wordoflifeseries.org%2F%2Fauth%3FreturnTo%3D%252Fregistration%252Fschools%252F28a730e6-6ddb-4eb6-bae9-ed90b750ae31%252Fclasses%252Fbda4d5ec-36b8-4ecd-bf12-57df2c4ea0c7%252Fparents%252Fjoin%253Fexpires%253D20251008T182104Z%2526key%253DIZOmYAe2HoqaIw4K&response_type=code&scope=openid+profile&state=ed2d92399a2641b3b0712ea5ca18073b&code_challenge=HXNGhS3NqlIcPu4FWM-AxWJthJBUmq6Szzw-H3oTn-s&code_challenge_method=S256&response_mode=query
3rd Grade
Molly Klimas mklimas@slstm.org
Asst. Angie Hanks
Get to know your catechists!
Molly
Hello! My name is Molly Klimas, and I’m very glad to be guiding third and fourth graders through Faith Formation at St. Mary’s Parish for the 2024-25 school year. I’m a lifelong Catholic, and this is my third year serving as a catechist. St. Mary’s Parish is using the Augustine Institute’s Word of Life Faith Formation program, which is endorsed by the Diocese of Grand Rapids. We’re blessed to have such a wonderful program that helps the catechist to guide students through Faith Formation.
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, attended grade school at St. Paul the Apostle and then high school at Catholic Central in Grand Rapids. I met my husband Paul at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana. We’re the parents of two grown, now-married children and the grandparents of eight. My husband and I moved from Grand Rapids to Spring Lake and joined St. Mary’s Parish in 2019, and we love it here. For many years, I’ve served on the board of the pro-life Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Rapids. I’ve worked in public relations and marketing communications since graduating from college in 1989. And, as a very special fun fact, I’m our pastor Fr. Bill’s sister.
Angie
I went to Catholic schools through 12th Grade. (St. Adalbert and West Catholic) I believe that Faith Formation is the best and most important education we can do for our children. I look forward to helping your child grow in their faith.
4th Grade
Molly Klimas mklimas@slstm.org
Asst. Angie Hanks
Get to know your catechists!
Molly
Hello! My name is Molly Klimas, and I’m very glad to be guiding third and fourth graders through Faith Formation at St. Mary’s Parish for the 2024-25 school year. I’m a lifelong Catholic, and this is my third year serving as a catechist. St. Mary’s Parish is using the Augustine Institute’s Word of Life Faith Formation program, which is endorsed by the Diocese of Grand Rapids. We’re blessed to have such a wonderful program that helps the catechist to guide students through Faith Formation.
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, attended grade school at St. Paul the Apostle and then high school at Catholic Central in Grand Rapids. I met my husband Paul at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana. We’re the parents of two grown, now-married children and the grandparents of eight. My husband and I moved from Grand Rapids to Spring Lake and joined St. Mary’s Parish in 2019, and we love it here. For many years, I’ve served on the board of the pro-life Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Rapids. I’ve worked in public relations and marketing communications since graduating from college in 1989. And, as a very special fun fact, I’m our pastor Fr. Bill’s sister.
Angie
I went to Catholic schools through 12th Grade. (St. Adalbert and West Catholic) I believe that Faith Formation is the best and most important education we can do for our children. I look forward to helping your child grow in their faith.
5th Grade
How does Word of Life offer an authentic Evangelizing Catechesis?
The Word of Life curriculum responds to the 2020 Directory for Catechesis and its call to help Christians “give a complete meaning to their existence, educating them in a mentality of faith in keeping with the Gospel” (Directory, no. 77). Responding to the needs of contemporary culture and modern man requires an “evangelizing catechesis.” This catechesis centers on an initial proclamation of the gospel message. What makes Word of Life unique and impactful is its approach to the “formation of a Christian mentality” (Directory, no. 71) and how it creates “a coherent doctrinal vision that can be used as a reference in life” (Directory, no. 80).
Questions? Please contact us!
Katrina Curtis, Director of Faith Formation
ffdirector@slstm.org | 616-842-2840